Bionic limb hope for bomb victims

BIONIC limbs controlled by thought could become a reality in five years, thanks to British scientists. In trials one man who lost a finger has been able to use a pen and write for the first time in 15 years.

BIONIC limbs controlled by thought could become a reality in five years, thanks to British scientists.

In trials by researchers from University College London, one man who lost a finger has been able to use a pen and write for the first time in 15 years and the technology could help injured victims of the July 7 bombings.

Deer antlers were the inspiration for scientists to attach horn-like metal implants to bones.

Prosthetic limbs can then be fixed to the implants and in five years it could be possible to connect the limbs to the nervous system.

Around 10 patients have so far taken part in the study into the technology, known as Intraoseous Transcutaneous Amputation Prosthesis, at London's Mount Vernon Hospital, including a woman who has a prosthetic replacement eye that can be held in its socket with magnets.

Dr Catherine Pendegrass, who helped develop the technique for her Phd, said: "Digital amputees have problems with artificial limbs that have to be attached to soft tissue on which you can get very little purchase.

Skeleton

"We wanted to develop something that permanently breaches the skin so an external implant can be attached to the skeleton.

"The problem is the skin wants to grow round the implant and push it out. No-one has been able to seal the skin around a metal implant."

This problem led the scientists to study deer antlers. Dr Pendegrass said: "We determined that the bone that grows through the skin on a deer's head is very different to normal bone. It's much more porous. The pores enable skin to grow through it."

The researchers adopted the same simple principle, with astounding success.

The technology raises the prospect of developing true bionic limbs in the future, say the scientists.

Electrodes

Dr Pendegrass said: "You could attach electrodes to residual nerves and have them coming out through the skin and linked to a bionic limb. It could allow a degree of cognitive control.

"We're not there yet, but such developments might be happening in five years."

She said none of the patients taking part in the trial had been involved in the terrorist bombings in London on July 7 last year.

But people who were hurt in the bombings had shown an interest in taking part in the research.